Family-friendly Harare: restaurants with play areas
Somewhere to eat while the children play, from a pirate-ship playground to a trampoline among the flowerbeds.
Updated Sep 2026
Photo: Mozambik Chisipite Harare, via Anotida C. via Google Maps
Eating out with young children goes better when there's somewhere for them to go once they've finished. Every place on this list has a play area, playground or sand pit, and most have outdoor space as well.
Play equipment changes and supervision varies, so if it matters, ask when you book.
Built with help from Dontmissmyplate, Great Zimbabwe Guide, Foodies 263 and Financial Gazette, who've eaten their way around town. Where they've reviewed a pick, we share what they found and link to their full review.
Mozambik Chisipite Harare
Diners describe a full-size pirate-ship playground with a child minder, which makes this Chisipite branch a favourite with parents. The peri-peri chicken, prawns and coconut rice are why the adults come. It gets busy, and service slows when it does.
What the reviewers said
Dontmissmyplate reviewed it in Sep 2026
A converted house around a pool, made for long relaxed meals. Seafood is its strength, and the prawn-and-rib platter was among the best dishes of her trip. The malva pudding was good but bettered elsewhere.
Read the full review →Great Zimbabwe Guide reviewed it in Mar 2026
Visited twice, once for a date night and once for a family farewell. Big grilled prawns are the draw, and staff supervise a large play area. Prices were about double those at the Cape Town branch.
Read the full review →Oak Tree Restaurant
Garden tables sit beside a children's play area, and the kitchen does kids' meals as well as pastas, grills and breakfasts. Daytime only, closing at 17:00 on weekdays and 15:00 on Saturdays.
What the reviewers said
Great Zimbabwe Guide reviewed it in Mar 2026
A calm brunch favourite in Rolf Valley, with garden tables under tall trees near a children's play area. The menu runs from cooked breakfasts to lighter dishes, and pancakes are her children's pick.
Read the full review →The Three Monkeys Harare
A play area and a big lawn beside the pizza garden in Greendale. Pizza is the order that pleases children and adults alike. Open daily from 08:00.
What the reviewers said
Dontmissmyplate reviewed it in Sep 2026
Scenic garden with a water feature; the prawn poke bowl was the surprise hit. The chocolate brûlée was more like a set cream and came with ice cream, which she disliked. Calmer midweek than on weekend nights.
Read the full review →Great Zimbabwe Guide reviewed it in Mar 2026
Attractive lawns and a small lake at the Honeydew Centre, plus a supervised play area. The thick milkshakes were good. She thinks the lake makes it better suited to children over four.
Read the full review →Foodies 263 reviewed it in Mar 2024 · 7.2/10Older review
Service and the lakeside garden setting were the highlights. The chicken nachos were excellent, but the ham and pineapple pizza was let down by dried-out fruit, echoing mixed talk about the food.
Read the full review →The Vanilla Moon
The Vanilla Moon has moved from Avondale to 2nd Street Extension and kept its garden feel, now with a play area and secure parking. Breakfast, the BF burger and chai lattes get the praise; service can be slow.
Luna's Restaurant
A children's play area, garden tables and an all-day breakfast menu in Chisipite, with vegetarian and vegan options. Allow plenty of time, as the kitchen can be slow.
What the reviewers said
Dontmissmyplate reviewed it in Sep 2026
An easy, family-friendly daytime spot with a large seasonal menu and big portions. Her Buddha bowl had good parts that never quite came together; the sticky toffee pudding made up for it.
Read the full review →The Bottom Drawer
A trampoline, chickens and flowerbeds give children plenty to do while parents order the smoked chicken salad or waffles. Weekdays and Saturday daytime only.
Kelly's Kuttings
A play area on a working flower farm, plus a pick-your-own flower patch that children often enjoy as much as the cake. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
What the reviewers said
Dontmissmyplate reviewed it in Sep 2026
Her favourite outing of the trip: lunch on a working flower farm, then cutting your own bouquet. The French 75 was well made and the carrot and shrimp risotto clever, followed by carrot cake.
Read the full review →Financial Gazette reviewed it in Apr 2025
A lovely farm setting with good service, but lunch was poor: a hard, oily stuffed sweet potato and greasy lamb pitas. A free replacement dish was offered. Cake and coffee were excellent, so she suggests going for tea.
Read the full review →Buffalo Creek Spur (Sam Levy's Village)
The Spur next to the cinemas at Sam Levy's Village has a supervised indoor play area, and children eat free on Wednesdays (terms apply). Steaks, burgers, ribs and breakfasts.
Chop Chop Pomona
The Pomona branch has a garden and a playground that parents describe as clean and well kept, with equipment for different ages. Burgers and sushi are the orders; service can be slow when it's busy.
What the reviewers said
Financial Gazette reviewed it in Nov 2025
A striking new building with garden seating. The rump steak lacked char and seasoning and its sauce was bland, but the whole grilled bream was excellent. The sushi conveyor was out of action; Black Forest gateau was a highlight.
Read the full review →The Jam Tree
Family-oriented by day, with a play area and outdoor seating at Mount Pleasant Sports Club. Bring children for lunch; at night it turns into a bar with DJs and sport on the screens.
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